This species is known from 500-1,200m asl in montane regions of Chubu District in south-central Japan, and specifically from the north-west of Shizuoka Prefecture (Fujieda-shi, Shizuoka-shi, Misakubo-cho, Honkawane-cho) and the south-east of Nagano Prefecture (Minamishinana-mura), on the Akaishi Mountains and along Oi-gawa and Tenryu-gawa rivers. The limits of its distribution remain unknown.

This species is found in an area where frequent landslides occur, suggesting large quantities of underground water. It is presumed to be a larval developer, and to breed in streams. Since its breeding locations have not been found, it is believed to breed in underground streams, as does a morphotype of Hynobius naevius.